ARSENAL have made a surprise £8.5 million bid for Chelsea starlet, Charly Musonda, according to reports.

The playmaker joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2012, and has gone on to become one of the brightest prospects in the Blues academy.

However, Musonda has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in order to get more first-team chances, and French media outlet Foot Mercato claims that Arsenal have submitted an £8.5m bid for his services.

Recently, Foot Mercato reported that Musonda was attracting the interest of a number of top European clubs, including Arsenal and now it seems that the Gunners have followed up on this interest with a bit.

It will be interesting to see whether or not Chelsea decide to accept this offer, given that Musonda is one of their most exciting young players.

The Belgian youth international joined in the summer of 2012 along with his two brothers and he has quickly established himself as a key player for the club’s academy.

He can play in the centre of midfield, at attacking midfield and on either wing and was an important player as the team won the UEFA Youth League.

He has been involved in the first team on their post-season tour and it is expected that he will be again in pre-season.

The player himself has said that he has no interest of moving and it seems that even if the bid is accepted Arsenal will have to work to persuade him to join.

Of course, the two clubs are currently discussing the transfer of goalkeeper Petr Cech, with that deal expected to be completed soon.